It is related that Jelāl cured one of his disciples of an intermittent
fever by writing down the following invocation on paper, washing off
the ink in water, and giving this to the patient to drink; who was,
under God’s favour, immediately relieved from the malady:—“O Mother of
the sleek one (a nickname of the tertian ague)! If thou hast believed
in God, the Most Great, make not the head to ache; vitiate not the
swallow; eat not the flesh; drink not the blood; and depart thou out of
So-and-So, betaking thyself to some one who attributes to God partners
of other false gods. And I bear witness that there is not any god save
God, and I testify that Muhammed is His servant and apostle.”
60.
One day Jelāl paid a visit to a great Sheykh. He was received with
the utmost respect, and seated with the Sheykh on the same carpet,
both together falling into ecstatic heart-communion with the world of
spirits.
A certain dervish was there present also, who had repeatedly performed
the pilgrimage at Mekka. The dervish addressed Jelāl, and inquired:
“What is poverty?” Jelāl returned no answer; and the question was
thrice repeated.
When Jelāl took his leave, the great Sheykh accompanied him to the
street door. On his return to his room, he reprimanded the dervish
severely for his insolent intrusion on the guest; “especially,” said
the Sheykh, “as he fully answered thy question the first time thou
puttest it.” The dervish, surprised, asked what the answer had been.
“The poor man,” said the Sheykh, “when he hath known God, hath his
tongue tied. That is being a real dervish; who, when in the presence
of saints, speaks not; neither with the tongue, nor with the heart.
This is what is signified by (Qur’ān xlvi. 28): ‘Hold ye your peace.’
But now, prepare thyself for thy end. Thou art struck by a shaft from
heaven.”
Three days later, the dervish was met by a gang of reprobates, who
attacked and killed him, carrying off every thing he had about him.
_Salve fac nos, Domine!_
61.
In the days of Jelāl there was in Qonya a lady-saint, named
Fakhru-’n-Nisā (the Glory of Women). She was known to all the holy men
of the time, who were all aware of her sanctity. Miracles were wrought
by her in countless numbers. She constantly attended the meetings at
Jelāl’s home, and he occasionally paid her a visit at her house.
Her friends suggested to her that she ought to go and perform the
pilgrimage at Mekka; but she would not undertake this duty unless she
should first consult with Jelāl about it. Accordingly she went to see
him. As she entered his presence, before she spoke, he called out to
her: “Oh, most happy idea! May thy journey be prosperous! God willing,
we shall be together.” She bowed, but said nothing. The disciples
present were puzzled.