Discourses of Rumi

56 V DISCOURSES OF RUMIwithout end. Whoever looks from afar sees onlythe flag, but those who see from close at handknow the essences and realities that reside withinus.Someone came in and Rumi said: Where haveyou been? We have been longing to see you. Whyhave you stayed away?The visitor replied, “It was just how thingsconspired.”Rumi said: We, for our part, have been prayingthat this conspiracy of things might come to anend. A conspiracy of things that produces separationis an improper conspiracy. Yes, by God, it toocomes from God, and in relation to God is good.It is a true saying, that all things are good and perfectin relation to God, but in relation to us, howcan this be true? Fornication and purity, avoidingprayer and praying, unbelief and Islam, idolatryand God’s unity—with God all these are good.But to us, fornication and thieving, unbelief andidolatry are bad, while God’s unity and prayer aregood. Even though in relation to God all aregood.