Discourses of Rumi

FIHI MA FIHI V 123hands of ‘Abbas. For he had taken ‘Abbas captiveand had bound his hands together with all theprisoners. Although the tying of his hands wasdone at God’s order, still the Prophet had to suffer.These troubles and depressions that come toyou are the effect of some injury and wrong youhave committed. Even if you cannot remember indetail what you have done, still from the resultsyou can know the deed. You may not rememberwhether it came from your own negligence orignorance, or because others swayed you intowrongful action. But look at the results: howmuch did you fall from grace, or how much hasyour heart expanded? Certainly a fall from graceis the response of disobedience to God, andexpansion of the heart is the reward of obedience.Why, the Prophet himself was rebuked because heturned a ring on his finger. He was told, “We didnot create you for idleness and play.” From thisdecide for yourself whether your day is passed inobedience or disobedience.Moses was occupiedwith the affairs of his people. Although he was atGod’s command and completely served God, yetone side of him was occupied with humanity for