Discourses of Rumi

124 V DISCOURSES OF RUMIthe general good. Khadir was occupied with Godcompletely; he hid himself from the sight of others.Mohammed was occupied at first wholly withGod, then he was told, “Call the people. Counselthem and reform them.” Mohammed wept andlamented, saying, “Oh, my Lord, what sin have Icommitted? Why do you drive me from Yourpresence? I have no desire for this world.” Godsaid to him, “Mohammed, do not despair, I willnot abandon you. Even in the midst of others youshall be with Me. When you are occupied withpeople, not one hair of the head of this hour withMe, not one, will be taken from you. In whateverwork you are engaged, you will be in very unionwith Me.”Someone asked: “The eternal decreesthat God has predestined, do they everchange?”Rumi answered: How could God say,“Do evil to find good?” If someone sows wheat,can they gather barley? Or if they sow barley, willthey gather wheat? That is impossible. All thesaints and prophets have said that good is thereward of good, evil the reward of evil.”Andwhoever does an atoms weight of goodshall seeit,And whoever does an atoms weight of evilshall