CHAPTER II

Of the Morals of Dervishes


I

A person of distinction asked a parsa, or devout and holy man, saying,
"What do you offer in justification of a certain abid, another species
of Mohammedan monk, whose character others have been so ready to
question?" He replied: "In his outward behavior I see nothing to blame,
and with the secrets of his heart I claim no acquaintance.--Whomsoever
thou seest in a parsa's habit, consider him a parsa, or holy, and esteem
him as a good man; and if thou knowest not what is passing in his mind,
what business has the mohtasib, or censor, with the inside of the
house?"


II

I saw a dervish who, having laid his head at the fane of the Cabah of
Mecca, was complaining and saying, "O gracious, O merciful God! thou
knowest what can proceed from the sinful and ignorant that may be worthy
of thy acceptance!--I brought my excuse of imperfect performance, for I
have no claim on the score of obedience. The wicked repent them of their
sins; such as know God confess a deficiency of worship."