Listen to this story that took place in Baghdad:

The banner and the curtain had a disagreement.

The banner, covered in dust from the road and weary from travel,

Said to the curtain in a reproachful manner:

"You and I are both servants,

Slaves of the Sultan’s court. …

A group of ruffians opposed a dervish, insulted him, beat him, and caused him distress.

He complained of his impatience to the elder of the path, explaining what had happened.

The elder said: “O child! The dervish’s cloak is the garment of contentment. Whoever cannot bear adversity in this attire …

A man lay drunk and asleep by the roadside, having lost control of himself.

A devout man passed by and looked at him in his disgraceful state.

The young man awoke from his drunken sleep and said:

"When they pass by idle talk, they pass by with dignity.

When you …

A scholar said to his father: “None of these eloquent and charming words of the speakers affect me, because I do not see their actions matching their words.”

They teach people to renounce the world

While they themselves hoard silver and grain

A scholar who only speaks

Whatever he says, …

A disciple said to his master: “What should I do? I am troubled by people constantly visiting me, which disturbs my time.”

The master replied: “Lend money to the dervishes and ask something from the wealthy, and none will come near you again!”

If a beggar leads the army of …

A dervish entered a place where the owner was a generous soul; a group of learned and eloquent people were in his company, each sharing witty and humorous remarks.

The dervish had traveled through the desert, was exhausted, and had not eaten anything.

One of them, in jest, said: “You …

One of the learned scholars was asked: “What do you say about the bread of endowment?”

He replied: “If the bread is taken for the sake of peace of mind, it is lawful; but if the gathering is for the sake of the bread, it is unlawful.”

Bread is taken …

According to this story, a king faced an important matter. He said: “If this situation turns out as I wish, I will give many dirhams to the ascetics.”

When his wish was fulfilled and his anxiety was relieved, he felt obliged to fulfill his vow. He gave a bag of …

One of the ascetics lived in the forest and ate the leaves of trees.

A king, wishing to visit him, approached and said: “If you see fit, come to the city. I will provide you with a place where you can worship in peace, and others can benefit from your …

One of the kings asked a devout man who had a family: “How do you spend your precious time?” He replied: “All night in supplication and at dawn in prayers for needs, and all day occupied with providing for my family.”

The king understood the implication of the devout man’s …

I grew weary of the company of my friends in Damascus, so I ventured into the wilderness of Jerusalem and found solace among the animals.

Until I was captured by the Franks and made to work in the trenches of Tripoli with the Jews.

One of the chiefs of Aleppo, …

One of the nobles was troubled by a contrary wind in his stomach and could not control it, so it was released involuntarily. He said: “Friends! I had no control over what happened, and no blame should be placed on me. I have found relief, so please excuse me with …