A man said to the ascetic jurist *Muhammad ibn Wasiʿ al-Azdi* (may Allah have mercy on him)

Photo from Mohammad Akram

Photo from Mohammad Akram

A man said to the ascetic jurist *Muhammad ibn Wasiʿ al-Azdi* (may Allah have mercy on him):

“Indeed, I love you for the sake of Allah.”

Muhammad replied:

“May the One for whose sake you love me love you.”

Then Muhammad ibn Wāsiʿ turned his face away and said:

“O Allah, I seek refuge in You
from being loved for Your sake
while You are displeased with me.”

_Source: *Hilyat al-Awliya wa Tabaqat al-Asfiya*_

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*The Poem*

A morning has come to us with colours of beauty,
Adorned with the splendour of our world.

Within it appear the signs of our Lord,
Who created existence and adorned the universes.

O Splitter of the dawn from the darkness of night,
Grant us in every morning a way out (from difficulty).

And grant Your servants comfort and safety—
You are the Most Generous, and You are the best One to hope in.

—