As Much As Your Need

The Prophet said, “God inspires wisdom in the tongue of the teacher according to the aspirations of the student.” 

I am a cobbler: the leather is plentiful, but I cut and stitch according to the size of the foot. I am your mirror, I am your measure; As much as your stature is, So much my treasure. 

A worm lives under the earth in darkness. It has no eyes or ears because where it lives it does not need them. Since there is no need, why give eyes and ears to worms? 

God has no scarcity of eyes and ears and It is not miserly, but It gives according to the need. Anything else becomes a burden. God’s wisdom and grace remove burdens; how could It do otherwise? 

For instance, if you gave tailors the tools of a carpenter—axe, saw, and a file—you would burden them, since they cannot use such instruments to make clothes. So God gives according to need and no more. Just as those worms thrive in darkness under the earth, so there are people who are content and satisfied to live in the darkness of this world, having no need for the heavenly world, and no yearning for the Vision. Of what use to them is the eye of clairvoyance or the ear of understanding? Their work in this world needs only the eyes they have. Since they have no desire for the other side, why give them clairvoyance, which would be useless to them? 

Do not think that saints 

No longer travel upon this road. 

Perfect in all life’s ways. 

Traceless lovers of God. 

It is because you cannot see 

Their secrets through your eyes, 

You fancy in your vain conceit, 

No others can gain that prize.

Fihi Ma Fih - Rumi