One of the ministers went to Dhu'l-Nun al-Misri and asked for his blessing; saying that he was occupied day and night in the service of the sultan, hoping for his favor and fearing his punishment. Dhu'l-Nun wept and said: If I had worshipped God, the Exalted and Glorious, in the same way that you worship the sultan, I would have been among the truthful.

If there were no hope and fear of comfort and suffering

The dervish's foot would be on the sky.

And if the minister feared God

As much as he fears the king, he would be an angel.