Discourses of Rumi

FIHI MA FIHI V 367bitterness of their separation, they cried, “Wouldthat our Lord had never granted us such wealth.”As long as Mohammed’s soul was dwelling inthe world of holiness and union with God, hegrew and thrived, plunging about in that sea ofcompassion like a fish. But, in this earthly world,even though he was endowed with the rank ofprophet and guide to humanity, and grantedgreatness, majesty, fame and a large following,still on returning to that former joyous life hesaid, “Would that I never became a prophet orcame into this world.”All these sciences, struggles and acts of devotion,in comparison to the merit and majesty ofGod, mean no more than bowing once, performinga service and then leaving. Even if you movedthe whole Earth with your heart to serving God,it would amount to the same as bowing once tothe ground. For God’s merit and graciousnessexisted before your life and service. Did He bringyou forth, give you existence, and make you capableof service and worship that you should boastof serving Him? These services and sciences arejust as if you carved little shapes of wood and