Discourses of Rumi

200 V DISCOURSES OF RUMIing, “There is no judge like this man anywhere inthe world. He does not take bribes. He dispensesjustice amongst others without partiality or favor,purely and sincerely for the sake of God.” WhenSheik Nassaj heard this he replied, “To say that hedoesn’t take bribes is certainly a lie. You, an honoreddescendant of Ali, praise and applaud him tohis face, saying that he does not take bribes. Isn’tthat a bribe? What could be a better bribe thanthat?”Sheik Tirmidhi once said, “Saiyid Burhan al-Din expounds truths so well because he has studiedthe books, secret writings and treatises of themasters.” A Sufi answered, “But you study themas well. Why don’t you speak like he does?”Tirmidhi replied, “Well, Burhan al-Din has alsomade great spiritual efforts and accomplishments.”The Sufi said, “Why didn’t you say thatin the first place? You only know how to repeatwhat you have read; that is the difference. But weare now speaking of something greater thanbooks—you too can speak of that!”Few care about the other world at all. Theyhave fixed their hearts upon this world entirely.