The Book of Wisdom Chapter XX

And he said (May Allah be pleased with him):

179. Sometimes a charisma (karaama) is bestowed upon someone whose righteousness (al-istiqaama) is not perfect.

180 A sign that it is Allah who has put you in a certain state (fish-shay’) is that He keeps you in it while its fruits (an-nataa’ij) mature.

181. He who holds forth from the standpoint of his own virtuous behavior will be silenced by his behavior toward Allah, but he who holds forth from the standpoint of Allah’s virtuous behavior toward him will not be silenced when he misbehaves.

182. The lights of sages (anwaarul hukamaa’) precede their words, so that, wherever illumination (at-tanweer) occurs, the expression (at-ta’bir) arrives there.

183. Every utterance (kalaam) that comes forth does so with the vestment of the heart (kiswatul qalb) from which it emerged.

184. Whoever has been given permission to speak out (at-ta’beer) will have his expression (‘ibaara) understood by his listeners, and his symbolic allusion (ishaara) will be clear to them.

185. Sometimes the light of inner realities will appear eclipsed when you have not been given permission to give expression to them.

186. Their expression (‘ibaaratuhum) is either because of the overflow of ecstasy (li laydaan wajd) or for the purpose of guiding a disciple (muteed). The former case is that of those who progress (as-saalikoon); the latter case is that of those who possess a function (araabul mukna) and have realization (al-mutahaqqiqoon).

187. An expression (‘ibaara) is nourishment to needy listeners, and your share in it is only what you can eat thereof.

188. Sometimes he who draws near to a station (maqaam) express himself about it, and sometimes he who is united with it expresses himself about it. That is confusing save to him who has insight.

189. He who is progressing (as-saalik) should not be given expression to his inspiration (waaridaat), for that indeed diminishes their activity in his heart and strips him of sincerity with his Lord.

190. Do not stretch out your hand to take from creatures unless you see that the Giver (al-Mu’ee) amongst them is your Lord. If such is your case, then take what knowledge says is suitable for you.

191. Sometimes the gnostic (al-‘aarif) is ashamed of submitting his urgent need (haaja) to his Lord being content with His will (mashee’a). So why should not be ashamed of submitting his urgent need to a creature of His?

Chapter XXI, next