مثلا ضربه بعض حكماء الديانة
In the name of the God of Truth and the Master of creation. The one described as the Ark of Salvation and the least of the Callers relates: A wise man of the age prepared to set out on a journey. In his wisdom he was hidden, while in the knowledge of the ancients he was remembered, though unknown. He possessed considerable servants, wealth, and estates. Before his departure he bestowed gifts upon his household and dependants and distributed the remainder of his property as charity to creation.
Before withdrawing, he looked among his servants and placed some of them in stations appropriate to their worth, through his guidance and favor. He chose a group of them, charged them with responsibility for his estates and possessions, and entrusted them with their administration. They accepted their master's instruction, rose to his service in submission, heard his command, and obeyed. They worked hard to cultivate the estates and increase the wealth and goods entrusted to them.
The servants were tested by ingratitude and cruelty, while most people denied their master's gifts and what he had done for them. A pretender appeared who claimed authority over the age. Every wretched hypocrite followed him. He assaulted the wise man's servants, made their blood lawful in the lands, and pursued them with his followers wherever they went, in hostility to their wise master and rejection of his straight path. But the servants bore hardship and suffering patiently, giving themselves willingly to their master's service.
The Creator, exalted in power, great in generosity, supreme in His word, and irresistible in will and volition, granted survival and a period of respite to the smallest of those servants. The Lord gave him the means of right guidance, confirmation, and success. He humbled himself before his master's greatness, remembered the instruction he had received, and found guidance in it. He withdrew from the pretender’s center to a far country, cultivated and increased his master’s possessions, and drew the sources of rain toward them. The distant land received rain; its trees bore fruit, and the lights of the truths shone in it.
Then the servant considered another estate, particularly dear to the great King. It lay close to the pretender's stronghold and was threatened on every side. Beyond a mountain and a barrier there stood a strong fortress; the estate behind its walls was enclosed, with poor buildings, shrivelled fruits, and withered trees. Moved by the virtue of the enterprise, the servant remembered the wise man's command to preserve his household. Despite the great danger involved, he resolved to restore this estate. He brought into its soil a spring from the Garden of Bliss, mingled with the Water of Life, drawing upon its keepers and water-bearers. The people of truth and those brought near drank from it, and the miserable covenant-breakers were prevented from drinking.
The estate drank, its trees grew leaves, and its flowers spread. Yet after the withdrawal and ruin, creatures resembling transformed beasts and wolves had taken shelter there. Their likenesses were intelligible to those with insight. Some were like spotted serpents, others like black snakes and striped vipers. Whenever the sincere servant sowed a crop there and worked to bring it to maturity, these snakes scorched it with their spittle and poison; the black snakes beat it with their tails until the crop lay cut down and lifeless. The inhabitants remained hungry and in want, because the creatures had consumed the fruit of the servant's work without preserving his instruction.
When the faithful servant brought them clear, fresh water, they turned it bitter and salty. The venomous creatures had ruined what he planted; his orchard became barren, and he could only grieve at what had come to pass. He lamented their condition and wept in sorrow. He said to the estate: “As for me, my reward rests with al-Ḥākim, the Bestower of blessings. As for you, your punishment is to disappear from among the estates and lands.”
He turned away from it, awaiting deliverance from his Master, hidden from his enemies and the enemies of his master, patient with His judgment and affliction, and waiting for what He had promised.
This parable is medicine and healing to pure souls, but misery to souls sunk in ignorance. For the souls of the ignorant it is misery and woe.
The parable is complete. Praise belongs to the Cause of causes. To Him belong exaltation, majesty, sanctification, and praise.