On the death of Jelāl, a party of zealots went in a body to the
Perwāna, explaining to him that the new practices of music and dancing,
introduced by Jelāl, were innovations altogether contrary to the
canonical institutes, and begging him to use his utmost endeavours to
suppress them.
The Perwāna called on the learned Mufti of Qonya, Sheykh Sadru-’d-Dīn,
and consulted him on the subject. The Mufti’s answer was: “Do nothing
of the kind. Listen not to such biased suggestions. There is an
apostolical saying to this effect: ‘A laudable innovation, introduced
by a perfect follower of the prophets, is of the same nature with the
customary practices of the prophets themselves.’” The Perwāna resolved,
therefore, to do nothing towards suppressing Jelāl’s institutions.
84.
A certain great man, who esteemed Jelāl, was nevertheless shocked that
he should, with all his learning and piety, sanction the use of music
and dancing.
He had occasion to visit Jelāl, who at once addressed him as
follows:—“It is an axiom in the sacred canons that a Muslim, if
hard pressed, and in danger of death, may eat of carrion and other
forbidden food, so that the life of a man be not sacrificed. This rule
is admitted and approved by all the authorities of the law. Now, we
_men of God_ are exactly in that position of extreme danger to our
lives; and from that danger there is no escape, save by song, by music,
and by the dance. Otherwise, through the awful majesty of the divine
manifestations, the bodies of the saints would melt away as wax, and
disappear like snow under the beams of a July sun.”
The personage thus addressed was so struck with the earnestness of
Jelāl’s manner, and the cogency of his reasoning, that he became
convinced, and thenceforward was a defender and upholder of Jelāl’s
institutions, so that these formed, as it were, the very nourishment
of his heart. Many of the learned followed his example, and joined
themselves to Jelāl’s followers and disciples.
85.
Kālūmān and ‘Aynu-’d-Devla were two Roman painters. They were
unrivalled in their art of painting portraits and pictures. Both were
disciples of Jelāl.
Kālūmān one day narrated that in Constantinople, on a certain tablet,
the portraits of the Lady Meryem and of Jesus were painted, in such
style as to be matchless. From all parts of the world artists came
and tried their best; but none could produce the equal of those two
portraits.
‘Aynu-’d-Devla undertook, therefore, to journey to Constantinople,
and see this picture. He made himself an inmate of the great church
of Constantinople for a whole year, and served the priests thereof in
various ways.
One night, then, he spied his opportunity, took the tablet under his
arm, and absconded with it.
On reaching Qonya, he paid his respects to Jelāl, who inquired of him
where he had been. He narrated to Jelāl all that had occurred with the
tablet, which he exhibited.