What Is Your Ka'ba?

 The familiar associates of Ahmad (Mohammed) were the Four Friends, (while) the familiars of Bú

Jahl were ‘Utba and Dhu ’l-Khimár.

The Ka‘ba of Gabriel and the (celestial) spirits is a Lotus-tree; the qibla of the belly-slave is a table-cloth (covered with dishes of food).

The qibla of the gnostic is the light of union (with God); the qibla of the philosopher's intellect is phantasy.

The qibla of the ascetic is the Gracious God; the qibla of the flatterer is a purse of gold.

The qibla of the spiritual is patience and long-suffering; the qibla of form worshippers is the image of

stone.

The qibla of those who dwell on the inward is the Bounteous One; the qibla of those who worship

the outward is a woman's face.

Similarly reckon up new and old (instances); and if you are weary (of doing so), go about your business. Our provision (from God) is wine in a golden cup, while those curs have the tutmáj broth and the trough.

(God says), “To him on whom We have bestowed a (particular) disposition We have sent the appropriate provision accordingly.

We have made it that one's disposition to be passionately fond of bread, We have made it this one's

disposition to be intoxicated with the Beloved.”

THE MASNAWI 6, 1900