The Prophet said to 'Ali, "O 'Ali, Thou art the Lion of God, a hero most valiant; Yet confide not in thy lion-like valour, But seek refuge under the palm-trees of the 'Truth.' Whoso takes obedience as his exemplar Do thou seek to draw near to Reason; let not thy heart Rely, like others, on thy own virtue and piety. Come under the shadow of the Man of Reason, l That man enjoys close proximity to Allah; Turn not away from obedience to him in any wise;

"O Lord, who are Thy lovers?" and the answer came, "Those who cleave to Me as a child to its mother, take refuge in the remembrance of Me as a bird se...